A sophomore at Richmond Burton High School in Illinois said what he discovered this week was disturbing, alarming and disturbing.
“I felt really nauseous and violated. It wasn’t a good feeling,” Steve Hyder said. “I actually went home for the rest of the day after that. It was really bad, and as soon as I got in the car, I started crying.”
Police are now investigating after Haider said someone took her prom photo online and used artificial intelligence to change the image to explicit content.
“When we posted these pictures, we’re telling you, on Instagram or VSCO or wherever we posted them, not once did it cross our minds that we had such a diamond,” he said. will be diverted.
The 15-year-old is not the only victim. Investigators told his mother that the victim list included 30 students and three teachers at the school.
“A lot of them are afraid to talk about it,” said the victim’s mother, Stephanie Essex. “I think bullying wins when you don’t talk about it, so I think it’s important for everyone to speak up, talk about it and let people know.”
Fake nude photos were shared and spread in school. A letter was sent to parents on Monday about the AI-generated images.
“I don’t think technology is our friend in this particular situation,” Essex said. “I don’t see how it serves any purpose or for us to have the ability to do this particular thing.” Why will there be programs? There doesn’t seem to be any kind of purpose for anyone in the long run. Indeed, whether they are adults or children.”
NBC Chicago first reported on the dangers of technology as part of our You and AI series. The FBI issued a warning last summer about criminals using AI to extort money from victims.
“A lot of times we’re seeing people paying these fees to not have these images put up there. It’s a shame,” said FBI Special Agent Siobhan Johnson. “Kids feel like their lives are over.”
Meanwhile, the school district said it is working with investigators to see that the person responsible is held accountable.
“Honestly I think it needs to be charged as a sex crime,” Essex said.
Police could not go into specifics about the case when asked, only telling NBC Chicago that detectives are investigating and working with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
We learned that the suspect is a student of the school. No one has been arrested and no case has been registered so far.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond Police Department at 815-678-4163 ext. 208.